Thompson’s and NEBC crowned champions

IT WAS celebrations all-round in the Sunderland and District League as Thompson Insurance A and North East Bed Centre were crowned champions of Divisions One and Two respectively.

Thompson secured the Division One title for the eighth successive season, following a comfortable 9–1 victory over their B team, before reinforcing their top spot position with a hard-earned 6–4 over Durham CA A.

Congratulations to Andrew Wilkinson, Darren McVitie, Chris Blake, Marc Cotton, Diane Cartmell and player/manager Allan Thompson for an excellent performance throughout, which have seen them go undefeated so far this season.

Durham’s narrow defeat ensures the fight for runners-up spot remains wide open with St Chad’s, currently third, looking to capitalise on their two matches in hand and leapfrog Durham into second place.

However, one of the Saints’ matches in hand is against newly-crowned champions Thompson Insurance A.

Meanwhile, NEBC secured the Division Two title with two games remaining following hard-earned wins against Redby CA A (6–4) and West CA A (7–3).

It has been an excellent season for NEBC, who have a very strong squad with two of their players, Dave Pringle and Alex Smith boasting a 100 per cent record this season.

Sacriston St Bede’s B are all but promoted following West CA’s earlier defeat and now require just one point from their remaining three matches to secure a return to Division One at the first time of asking following last year’s relegation.

The race to avoid the drop took a new twist when St Gabriel’s were awarded a ‘walkover’ in their match against Silksworth IM B.

With a match in hand over St John A and Durham CA B, it is feasible for St Gabriel’s to beat the drop.

In Division Three, St Gabriel’s C can almost taste promotion, however, they still require one more win from their remaining matches to all but guarantee promotion.

Meanwhile, a win and draw in their remaining five matches should be sufficient for Redby CA B to secure the second promotion place.

H The Sunderland league has seen some excellent performances over the last two weeks – none more so than some of the younger players learning their trade.

Sacriston’s Dan Nicholson has put in some impressive displays and it bodes well for the future.

St John’s Jacob Helm, Sean Gleghorn and Robert Renton continue to impress, and with another season under their belt should see their team pushing for promotion next year.

Simon Knopf (Sacriston) is also benefiting from the experience he is gaining this season.